Placer County, CA Sidewalk & Pedestrian Rules: Encroachment Permits (2026)

Section 12.04.010(A) makes it unlawful to dig, cut, open, excavate or maintain any ditch, hole, drain, tunnel or other opening in, through, under, along, across or upon any county or public road, land, street, sidewalk or highway without first obtaining a permit from Public Works. Before issuing a permit for underground facilities, subsection (B) lets the granting authority require a bond or cash deposit equal to the estimated construction cost, to guarantee the road or highway is restored to its prior condition; that guarantee is waived for a public utility or public agency that shows it is financially responsible and has not violated a prior encroachment permit.

Subsection (C) requires the county to inspect all work within the county highway and charge an inspection fee based on a percentage of construction cost, calculated per § 16.08.170, or on an hourly actual-cost basis for utility-installed work; snow tunnels erected under the older Chapter 30 code are exempted from that inspection fee. Subsection (D) sets flat encroachment permit fees: $61.00 for a private drive, $74.00 for a private crossing, $52.00 for a parcel split or commercial encroachment, and $61.00 for a utility permit. A separate permit is required to erect a pole line over, across, along or upon a county road under § 12.04.020.

Permittees are responsible under § 12.04.030 for all damages and repair costs from the permitted work, performed under the direction and to the satisfaction of Public Works, which also holds authority under § 12.04.050 to restrict or close roads for public protection or to shield roads from storm or construction damage.